All in Editorials.
Games of Shame: Let Me Explain
I’m a huge supporter of video games pushing the boundaries of humor, drama and horror, as there is time and a place for just about anything. However, with my video games being in a centralized location in my home, those boundaries do not necessarily need to be pushed when small children are running around. I [...]
I Confess: No Nintendo Gaming Roots
Alright, I’ll come out and say it before I start rattling off excuses and justifications: all of those classic Nintendo and Super Nintendo games that we talk about as genre-starters or so-good-they’re-still-fun-to-play? With the exception of Contra (which I beat on XBLA), Bionic Commando (which I beat in my first all-nighter), and Super Mario World [...]
Gaming Cynic: Damn You, Deus Ex: Human Revolution
I’m being honest when I say I didn’t anticipate ever wanting to play Deus Ex: Human Revolution. I never played the first, heard the second sucked and frankly thought a cyber-punk world full of cybernetic enhancement and dirty little secrets was the last thing to ever interest a guy like me. I tend to like [...]
I Learned Something Today: God of War II
I’ve never thought all that much about death, killing, and self-preservation. Maybe I just haven’t had to; maybe I’ve been sheltered. Stepping into the shoes of the Ghost of Sparta has certainly been an eye-opening experience. There is much to be learned from the guy we all lovingly know as Kratos and God of War [...]
Gaming Crushes: To My Dearest Loves
I’m a gamer. Therefore, I’m an adventurer at heart and cannot be tied down to any one game – or love interest. During my travels to various exotic worlds and stories, I often found myself romantically involved with a partner which, at the time, was often a beautiful relationship, but was never destined to last [...]
Just 5 More Minutes: Rhythm Heaven Fever Saved Valentines Day
My girlfriend and I had recently discussed our loathing for Valentine’s Day and so we decided not to do anything special for it and just treat it as a normal day. That being said, I couldn’t help but want to do something special for her after seeing everyone on my Facebook wall doing sweet things for their loved ones. [...]
Cheap and Dirty Gamer: Hanging Out in the Realm of a Mad God
I want to begin by stating that hanging out in realms is generally a bad idea. Realms don’t tend to have laws, constitutions or representative birds and/or fruit. Sure, exploring realms gives you street cred, but it’s much easier and way safer to just get that sort of cred directly from the street. Realm cred [...]
Remake It So: Extreme-G
While I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore racing game fan, I do dip my toe in the genre from time to time. I gravitate more towards the arcade side of the genre with the Burnout series being a particular favorite of mine. However, even this side of the genre has gotten a bit too traditional [...]
Are Horror Games Getting Too Much Action?
Think of the scariest movie you’ve ever seen, the type that stuck with you for days, if not months, tugging at the mental strings that control fear. Do you have one? Great. Now think about the protagonist of that particular movie and the type of gun or martial art they used to finally destroy the [...]
Think of the Children: What Being a Gamer Dad Means
My son said the most beautiful words the other day which immediately put a lump in my throat and took all my willpower not to shower the entire room with tears. He said, “I want to grow up and be like you, Dad.” Before all the happiness just spewed forth from tear ducts I choked [...]
I Learned Something Today: Duck Hunt
I love animals. I love having them as pets and I love to eat some of them as well. One thing I don’t love is killing animals for sport. Well, I don’t actually know if I love it or not because I’ve never been hunting. But I do know that I will never give hunting [...]
Cheap and Dirty Gamer: Mr. Bree: Returning Home Traps Talking Pigs
Being both cheap and dirty is pretty easy after a Wednesday afternoon filled with beers has you lying in bed cursing both hops and barley. If you’re like me and happen to be in that aforementioned situation, your brain probably isn’t in the mood for complex actions like solving mystery puzzles or negotiating with elven [...]
Gaming Crushes: Wild Rides with the Mediocre
I’m almost sorry I’m not around to see Justin L.’s reaction when he sees me explaining that, in secret, I have a crush on RPGs and quite a few of them are bad RPGs. You see, over the years, I’ve casually spurned the well-received RPG powerhouses from Square Enix and Sierra and even the RPG/action mix [...]
Gaming Crushes: A Kingdom Hearts Love Affair
Never judge a book by its cover and never judge a game by the cover art. My initial opinions on Kingdom Hearts were 100% wrong. I thought the game would be corny and only kid friendly. My experiences with Kingdom Hearts have grown into a very tumultuous love affair. Throughout February, Horrible Night will be [...]
Gaming Crushes: The Resiliency of Double Fine
Sure, I grew up as a huge fan of adventure games. There is no doubt that The Secret of Monkey Island shaped my love and appreciation of video games as an entertainment medium. Regardless of any of my nostalgic history with the roots of Tim Schafer and his team at Double Fine, being witness to [...]
